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21 June 2026

IIT-Delhi study on human activity and extreme weather

This study provides scientific evidence on the drivers of extreme weather in India, which is highly relevant for disaster management and climate change adaptation strategies in the GS3 syllabus.

1 min read 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • A study by IIT-Delhi and KSMDB College, published in Environmental Research Letters, identifies human activity as the primary driver of extreme rainfall in India.
  • Researchers analyzed rainfall data from 1905 to 2014 using a 'fingerprinting' technique to separate natural weather cycles (e.g., El Niño) from human-induced changes.
  • The study highlights a competition between greenhouse gases (which warm the atmosphere and intensify rainfall) and aerosols (which scatter sunlight and suppress rain).
  • Greenhouse gas forcing is identified as the dominant driver of extreme precipitation in West Central India.
  • The study warns that as air pollution reduction efforts succeed and aerosol loads drop, the 'masking' effect will disappear, potentially leading to a surge in extreme rainfall.
  • The study concludes that historical rainfall baselines may no longer be reliable for future risk assessment due to the loss of stationarity in extreme weather patterns.

Questions

  1. How does the interplay between greenhouse gas emissions and aerosol concentrations influence extreme weather patterns in India? Discuss the implications of this for urban planning and disaster management. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The assumption of stationarity in climate data is increasingly challenged by anthropogenic climate change. Analyze the limitations of relying on historical rainfall statistics for future infrastructure development and climate resilience in India. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following best describes the 'fingerprinting' technique mentioned in the context of climate research?

  2. According to the IIT-Delhi study, what is the primary role of aerosols in the context of the Indian monsoon?